FTA highlight importance of Britain’s ability to move goods

Britain’s ability to move goods around the world without additional cost must be priority for Chancellor, according to FTA.

The Freight Transport Association (FTA) said in its submission to HM Treasury before next month’s Autumn Statement, that Britain’s ability to move goods around the world without additional cost or red tape must be a priority for the Chancellor.

The FTA support the Government’s recent decision to support a third runway at Heathrow, which will be important in maintaining and developing global trade links following Britain’s exit from the European Union.

The FTA have highlighted that following Brexit, the UK must ensure that the cost of exporting UK goods doesn’t rise, and that there is no additional red tape. The logistics sector must also be able to access employees from outside the UK, particularly in light of the industry’s staff shortages.

Karen Dee, FTA’s Director of Policy, said: “The Chancellor must ensure that UK businesses remain competitive as we move towards exiting the EU. This means minimising the burdens placed on businesses moving goods around the world so that British goods are no more costly to export nor burdened with more red tape.

“But beyond this, it means delivering an economic and fiscal environment at home which allows businesses to thrive. The logistics industry operates on relatively low margins and is currently experiencing a shortage of skilled labour. The Chancellor could provide a real boost by reducing fuel duties; looking again at the implementation of the Apprenticeship Levy to ensure that it better meets businesses’ needs; and enhancing investment in our key transport infrastructure networks.

“The UK economy relies on logistics – we hope that logistics can rely on Government.”

The submission by the FTA also calls for a 3p litre cut in fuel duty, protection of the Roads Investment Strategy, protection of funding for the rail Strategic Freight Network, Enhanced revenue budgets for improved maintenance on strategic and local authority roads networks, a policy framework, funding for new improved roadside facilities for driver and re-instating the duty differential for used cooking oil as bio fuel in commercial vehicles.

 

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